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From: moore@tc.fluke.COM (Matt Moore)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: Dumb Beginner Questions
Message-ID: <35333@mimsy.umd.edu>
Date: 6 Jun 91 19:27:47 GMT
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In article <35259@mimsy.umd.edu> larock@software.org (Curt Larock) writes:
#My wife and I want to buy a gun -  but neither of us has any experience
#with firearms  (I fired a rifle about 10 years ago).  Our main uses
#would be personal protection and target shooting.
#
#So far I've joined the NRA, read a pile of books (the Truth About Self
#Defense, Armed and Female, the Street-Smart Gun Book, and a couple of
#others), and subscribed to rec.guns.
#
#What should I do now?  What dumb mistakes should I avoid?
#-- 
#Curt Larock			Software Productivity Consortium
#larock@software.org		2214 Rock Hill Rd.
#				Herndon VA 22070
#
#[MODERATOR:  As always, a hearty "thanks" to those who take the time to
#be *responsible* in their procurement and use of firearms!!!  Okay, folks,
#let's generate some good responses....]

 The next thing you should (both) do is take a "basic defensive firearms"
course from an NRA certified instructor. Local gun stores can usually
refer you to one, or you can call the NRA at 202-828-6281. Expect to spend
$100 per head or more; its a good investment.

 Unless you are in a hurry for some reason, you should wait until after
taking the course before actually buying a gun (most courses will let you
rent one). Its easy to buy a gun that is not really suitable for you, and
gun store clerks will often advise you to buy the most expensive gun in
the shop (or the one they are having trouble getting rid of) instead of
the most suitable.

 Since you give personal protection as your main reason for gun ownership,
you should consider buying two guns. All guns require maintenance from
time to time, and most people pay a gunsmith to do it. If you only have
one gun and you don't want to be without it for 2-4 weeks, you will tend
to put off maintenance, making the gun less likely to work reliably when
you need it to.

 Now for my personal two cents about which guns to buy: I would suggest a
matched pair of Ruger GP-100 .357 revolvers, with target sights, 4"
barrels, and made of stainless steel. Expect to pay $350 each. Second
choice: one Ruger GP-100 as above and one Ruger SP-101 .38 Special
revolver with fixed sights and a 3" barrel, also in stainless steel. I
think a matched pair is the best, because you only have to practice with
one, but if your hands are a lot bigger than your wife's then no single
gun may feel good to both of you. I've found that Rugers are the best buy
for the average shooter: simple, durable, and accurate. Smith & Wesson and
Colt revolvers are have slightly higher quality but they seem to be in the
shop more often.

						Matt Moore
						John Fluke Mfg. Co.
						standard disclaimers apply